Display device



June 29, 1937.

w. HANSEN 2,085,097 DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Jan. 20, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. HANSEN DISPLAY DEVICE June 29, 1937.

Filed Jan. 20, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WM 1 7M Patented June 29, 1937 UNHTEQ fi'i'Ai'ES PATENT OFFIE 7 Qiaims.

This invention relates to improvements in display devices of the type frequently used in forming backgrounds for window displays in stores and shops or supports for articles of merchandise.

Display devices as heretofore constructed generally have been provided with a wood frame to which a sheet of cardboard or other paneling material is nailed. Not only are such structures relatively heavy because of the wood frame and cross supports employed, but they are relatively expensive to manufacture in that it is generally required that the edges be sharp and smooth which necessitates sanding the structures prior to painting or otherwise decorating the same.

One object of the present invention is to provide a display panel having an integral perimetrical frame which provides adequate ri idity at the margin of the structure and eliminates the use of wood and thus provides a relatively light weight structure.

A further object of the invention is to form a display device and stiffening frame from covered paneling material, which covering forms a continuous surface over the front and the perimeter of the frame and obviates the necessity of smoothing and trimming the surfaces or edges to provide suitable decoratable surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sheet of material adapted to be folded to form a decoratable panel and integral stilfening perimetrical frame at the rear side of the panel.

Other objects of the invention relate to various features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be apparent from a considera- 'tion of the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing two of the display devices.

Figure 2 is an elevation of a display device embodying certain features of the improvements prior to shaping the same into final form.

Figure 3 -is a broken perspective view of a display device.

Figure 4 is a broken sectional view taken on line l l of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is an enlarged broken sectional view taken on line 9--9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a broken sectional view taken on line I lllfl of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a sectional View taken on line ll-ll of Figure 8.

In the drawings, the display device which is indicated generally by the numeral 10 is represented as being of panel form of the type frequently used in store and shop windows to provide artistic or scenic backgrounds for merchandise display purposes.

The improved display device preferably is formed substantially entirely of a single sheet of material, such as cardboard or the like, of suitable thickness.

A development of one embodiment of the device is shown in Figure 2, and comprises a central panel ll having at its margins strips of the same material which are adapted to be folded to the rear of panel I I] to form a stiffening and supporting frame. Thus at the upper and lower ends of the panel II are top'and bottom frame members l2 and I3 respectively to which are connected sections I4 and I5 respectively.

Secured to the longitudinal edges Ila of the panel H are vertical frame members [6 and I? to which are attached the sections i8 and I9 respectively. Secured to the frame members 12 and [3 at the ends thereof are tabs I2a and Hat. The structure shown in Figure 1 preferably comprises a single sheet of suitable cardboard or like material, the various frame members [2 to I9 inclusive being defined by score lines formed on the rear surface of the sheet.

Secured over the forward face of the panel H and adjacent frame members and sections is a sheet of paper or other material 2| which forms a decorated or decoratable surface for the panel. Thus the sheet may be colored prior to attachingthe same to the device or it may be decorated after placing the same thereon. In some instances the paper sheet may be omitted and the cardboard material painted or otherwise decorated.

In shaping the device to the form shown in Figure 3, the frame sections 12, I3, [6, and I1 are folded rearwardly to a position at right angles to the surface of the panel I I. Tabs l2a and l3a are folded to vertical position, but disposed adjacent the inner surfaces of the members 16 and 57 as shown in Figure 4. The members l4, l5, l6, and 19 are then folded inwardly of the panel as shown in Figure 3, that is, panels I4 and i5 are disposed under the sections l8 and 19. The

V ure 8.

sections l8 and i9 are then secured at their ends to the over-lapping portions of the sections [4 and I5, as by staples 22, or they may be glued thereto if desired. The tabs i211 and Mia are likewise stapled to the contacting portions of the frame members l6 and ill.

It will thus be seen that the frame members 82 to Q3 inclusive when folded as illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, form an integral frame, the portions of which are secured together and constitute a rigid frame structure for the panel H, and without placing any fastening members through the face of the panel and thus impairing its surface for decorating purposes. If desired, transverse members 23, two of which are shown in Figure 3, may extend horizontally of the device beneath the sections it and I9 and be stapled thereto, as at 2 to give additional rigidity to the structure.

The members 23, 23 are also formed of cardboard and comprises tubes whi h are rectangular in cross section and of dimensions to snugly fit within the confines of the frame members on the rear side of the panel M.

This structure as will be seen, is of light weight and can be shipped, if desired, in flat form as illustrated in Figure 2, and readily folded into the form shown in Figure 3 at the place of use.

The modification of the invention shown in Figures 6 to 11 inclusive comprises a central panel 25 of light weight material such as cardboard or the like, and top and bottom frame members 26, 2? respectively, and side frame members 28 and 29. Adjacent the frame members mentioned are frame sections 38, 39, 32, and 33, the first two corresponding in length to the width of the panel 25 and the latter two corresponding in length to the length of the panel. The frame sections of this modification are originally formed separately from the panels but are made integral therewith by cementing or pasting a sheet of paper or other surfacing material 34 over the face of the panel and the frame sections when disposed in the relative positions shown in Figure 6. In this figure it will be noted that the various sections are spaced one from another as well as from the panel 25. A sheet of paper or other surfacing material 35 is also secured over the back of the structure. The spacing of the frame sections 26 to 29 inclusive from the margins of the panel 25 and the spacing of the frame sections 36 to 33 inclusive from the other frame sections corresponds to the thickness of the material of which the panel and frame sections are made plus the thickness of the two sheets of material 34 and 35. a.

This device may be shipped in flat form, and in folding the parts to provide the shape illustrated in Figure 8, the frame sections 26 and 21 are folded rearwardly to horizontal position and the connected tabs 28a, 27a. which are connected to the ends of the members 2% and 2? respectively, are folded to vertical position as shownin Fig- The frame sections 28 and 23 are folded rearwardly of theface of the panel 25 into a position at right angles to the panel after which the frame sections 35 and 3! are folded into vertical position, and thereafter sections 32 and 33 folded over the rear surface of the sections 36] and 3!, as shown in Figure 8. The over-lapping portions of the frame members 36 to 33 inclusive can then be stapled together as indicated at 36 to secure the same in position. The tabs Zea and 21w are also stapled to the adjacent portions of the members 28 and 29. 1

in this modification additionaltubular meme the panel 25 and the frame sections is sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the respective frame sections, and a double thickness of the rear covering material 35. Thus in Figure 10 it will be noted that when upper frame section 26 has been folded to horizontal position at right angles to the panel 25, a double fold of the surfacing material 35 is disposed between the rear of panel 25 and the adjacent endof the member 26.

The same is true when the section 30 is folded to vertical position, that is, a double fold of the surfacing material 35 is disposed between the lower surface of member 26 and the adjacent edge of the frame member 30.

The spacing of the parts as thus described is important to avoid imposing excessive strain on the upper surfacing material 34 at the corners of the panel 25 and thus rupturing or tearing the same.

An advantage of the construction above described resides in the fact that, in forming the panel 25 as a separate part of the device its longitudinal edges can be made smooth and sharp and that when it is incorporated in the integral structure of the device and the various frame sections folded into operative position, the surfacing material 34 likewise forms neat, smooth, sharp corners at the edge of the panel. In many instances for display purposes this is desirable.

Where the paneling material is cut by a saw or knife its edges absorb paint more readily than does the surface of the panel, and lack of uniformity of coloring results. Also the Wooden frame of the prior structures usually absorbs paint differently than the paneling material employed. By the present improvements wherein a sheet of flexible surfacing material is attached to the face of the panel and extends over the frame members to form the integral construction described, the edges lib can be given precisely the same shade of color as the face of the panel. The improvements thus provide a more uniformly decoratable surface, as well as one which can be assembled readily. without the use of fastening devices in the face of the panel'andwhich can be shipped in flat or the unfolded form illustrated in Figures 2 and 6.

While I have illustrated an-ddescribed certain embodiments of my improvements for. the purpose of illustration, I do not wish to be restricted specifically thereto except as so limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A display device comprising a panel of sheet material having a pair of articulate extensions ateach edge thereof, each pair of said extensions being folded rearwardly andinwardly into spaced relation with the rear surface of the panel and. having end portions secured together in overlapping relation to form a hollow perimetrical stiffening frame for the panel.

' 2. A display device comprising a panel of sheet material having a pair of articulate extensions paralleling each edge thereof, and a surfacing sheet secured over the forward face of said panel and extensions andconstituting a hinged connection for securing the extensions to the panel, V

the inner of said extensions being folded rearwardly and the outer extensions being folded inwardly over the rear margins of said panel in spaced relation with respect thereto to form an integral hollow stiffening frame for the panel with the surfacing sheet extending uninterruptedly over the panel and edges thereof to the rear of said frame, the adjacent end portions of said outer extensions at each corner of the panel being arranged in overlapped relation and secured together.

3. A display device comprising a rectangular panel each edge of which is provided with a pair of articulate frame members co-extensive with the respective edges of the panel and folded rearwardly and inwardly into spaced relation with the rear margins of the panel to form a hollow perimetrical stiffening frame and a stiffening member extending transversely of the rear of said panel and having the ends thereof disposed within and secured to opposite sides of said frame.

4. A display device comprising a rectangular panel each edge of which is provided with a pair of articulate frame members co-extensive with the respective edges of the panel and folded over into spaced relation with the adjacent margins of the panel to form a perimetrical stiffening frame, said frame members having the adjacent ends thereof disposed in over-lapping relation and secured one to the other and a transverse rear stiffening member having the ends thereof disposed within opposite frame members and secured thereto.

5. A display device comprising a rectangular panel of sheet material, a pair of frame members at each edge of the panel flexibly connected one to the other and to the respective edge of said panel and co-extensive therewith and folded over the perimeter of the frame.

into spaced relation with the rear margin of said panel and having end portions secured together in overlapping relation at each corner of the panel to form a perimetrical stiffening frame for the panel.

6. A display device comprising a rectangular panel of sheet material, a pair of mutually spaced strips spaced from and disposed adjacent each edge of said panel, said strips being substantially co-extensive with the respective panel edges, and a flexible sheet of surfacing material secured to the forward face of said panel and to said strips and providing a hinged construction whereby said strips can be folded over the respective rear margins of said panel into spaced relation with respect to said margins to provide a rear stiffening frame therefor.

7. A display device comprising a rectangular panel, a pair of mutually spaced inner and outer frame members disposed adjacent and spaced from each edge of said panel, and an outer sheet of flexible surfacing material secured to the respective surfaces of said panel and frame members providing hinged joints therebetween whereby said inner frame members can be folded rearwardly into abutting relation with the rear perimeter of said panel and said outer frame members folded inwardly of the panel into abutting relation with the respective inner frame members to provide a perimetrical stiffening frame for said panel, said spaces between said panel edges and between adjacent frame members being such that said sheet of surfacing material is taut over said hinged joints whereby the sheet constitutes a continuous decoratable surface extending over the face of the panel and WILLIAM HANSEN. 

